As gasoline prices hover around $2 per gallon in many areas of the US, the idea of raising the federal gas tax to fund transportation infrastructure projects is once again being run up the flag pole. And Thomas Donahue, president of the US Chamber of Commerce, is saluting. “Isn’t it reasonable to invest a dime … Read more
President Barack Obama’s surprise announcement last month that he was reestablishing diplomatic relations with Cuba could mean a boost for many industries, especially tourism. But the materials handling industry may also benefit from apparent thaw between the US and its island neighbor to the south. Benefits to Material Handling Firms One materials handling firm — … Read more
As negotiations between the owners of West Coast ports and the longshoreman’s union enter into their second calendar year, port operations are experiencing from delays from San Diego to Seattle. And now that mega-cargo container ships are beginning to appear for the first time along some US docks, wait times are lengthening and tensions are … Read more
For the first time in two decades, the US Department of Transportation plans to accept applications from Mexican long-haul trucking companies for authority to operate in the US. The announcement comes in the wake of a three year pilot program in which small amount of Mexican truck fleets were allowed to cross over the border … Read more
A packaging trade show held in Chicago earlier this winter provided an insight into the kind of packaging trends we can expect to see in the coming year. According to a report compiled by organizers of the PACK EXPO International and Pharma EXPO 2014 — which was held at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention facility in … Read more
A Michigan materials packaging company has come up with an innovative, “green” system for securing palletized loads that doesn’t require plastic wrap or the use of bands. Creative Techniques, which is headquartered in Michigan’s Orion Township, used structural foam plastic to create the enviroLid, a heavy duty lid that sits atop pallets of totes or … Read more
On a foggy Wednesday morning last week, the container ship CSCL Globe slowly glided into the harbor at the Port of Felixstowe, a container port located on England’s eastern shore. While that’s not an unusual sight — Felixstowe is the UK’s busiest container port and the sixth largest port in Europe — what was remarkable … Read more
Boeing already has sold more than 1,000 of its newest passenger jet — the 787 Dreamliner — to more than 58 airlines all around the globe. But hopefully none of them will have to push the aircraft to the terrifying limits exhibited during a test flight at an air show in England last year. Heart-Stopping … Read more
Officials at BNSF, one of the nation’s largest freight lines, remember last winter’s heavy snow, sub-zero temperatures and harsh winter conditions. They also recall how last winter’s bad weather slowed operations, resulting in in delays and other costly setbacks. This year, they’re going to be ready, said Steve Bobb, the freight line’s executive vice president … Read more
Small engines that are used to run leaf blowers, lawn mowers and even smaller industrial equipment are known for being very loud and not very powerful. But a company in Connecticut is developing a new type of tiny engine that is very quiet, very powerful, and has only two primary moving parts. Nicknamed the “X … Read more
